Hikers in Petersburg will be getting a crosswalk at the base of Raven’s Roost trail.
The idea was discussed at Monday’s Petersburg Public Safety Advisory Board Meeting. Police Chief Jim Kerr put the item on the agenda. A member of the public emailed him with the idea, saying visibility isn’t great for pedestrians coming off the trail, and vehicles often drive fast through the area. He said that made him realize just how busy the trail was.
“Since they’ve done all their improvements, that whole trail’s just attracted an enormous following, people just making morning trips up there, afternoon trips,” he said. “And so, I mean, when she brought that idea up, it was an excellent idea.”
The Public Safety Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend the police department put a crosswalk between the base of Raven’s Roost trail and the parking lot across the street.
The change will involve a crossing sign on each side of the road and painted yellow crosswalk lines. Kerr said adding the crosswalk will be simple and low-cost. It will involve “manpower to install it, paint, and signage,” he said. “And when you compare that to safety, it’s priceless.”
The Public Works Department will actually be the one installing the crosswalk. And they likely won’t do that until the springtime. They need to order the signs and by the time those arrive, it’ll be almost winter – not a good time to paint the roads.
The Public Safety Advisory Board met Monday, October 30, 2023 for the first time since April.
